Staff

Donna Cox Briggs | County Archivist

Born and raised in Sullivan County, she has been active in genealogy and historical research for many years. She is a founding member of the Cemetery Survey Team of Northeast Tennessee and has served in several capacities for various historical and genealogical organizations in both Washington and Sullivan counties. In 2016. she received certification as a Certified Archives Manager from the state of Tennessee. Donna has been employed by the Archives since July, 2016.

Britney Helton | Deputy County Archivist

Originally from Rogersville, Tennessee, Britney graduated from ETSU in 2019 with a bachelors in History and received a Master’s Degree in Information Science from the University of Tennessee in 2021. Britney has been employed by the Archives since July 2021.

Sam Ellison | Archives Assistant

Born in Cocke County, Tennessee, Sam Ellison graduated from ETSU in December 2019 with a bachelor’s in history. Sam originally volunteered for the Archives in 2021, and she has now been employed by the Archives since March 2025.